I am done....

So, I woke up this morning and I said to myself…..okay, I am done.
I tried to keep on track by eating healthy this holiday season but I also tried to be realistic too. I hit the Gym a handful of times. I could have gone a few more times, but then again, I could have not gone at all….so it’s all good. I also eliminated a few holiday foods that I was never a big fan of anyway, for example that Green Bean Casserole. All that stuff combined together is just nasty. This year I made fresh steamed green beans and I eliminated the candied sweet potatoes too. Plus, we had homemade bread (my favorite). I also made three organic pies…One Apple and two pumpkins.

I had the hardest time with the Christmas cookies. I feel like the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. I just couldn’t get enough Christmas cookies. But, I am done with them now and NO, not because I ate them all…
I stuck with my game plan of only eating homemade foods and I didn’t eat any processed foods (at least that I know of). With all that said and done, I feel like I may have gain a few pounds back……but no biggie.
I know we still have this week left but the worst of the food eating for me is behind me. Thank god.

I am off to have a Subway Sandwich and fruit for Lunch and then hitting the GYM tonight.

Ya gotta love the Holidays…

The Birth of a Baby Boy!

While Mary was still engaged to Joseph, she miraculously became pregnant through the Holy Spirit, as foretold to her by the angel.
Joseph too must have wondered in awe as he remembered the words found in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
At that time, Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken, and every person in the entire Roman world had to go to his own town to register. Joseph, being of the line of David, was required to go to Bethlehem to register with Mary. While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Probably due to the census, the inn was too crowded, and Mary gave birth in a crude stable. She wrapped the baby in cloths and placed him in a manger.
Out in the fields, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds who were tending their flocks of sheep by night. The angel announced that the Savior had been born in the town of David. Suddenly a great host of heavenly beings appeared with the angels and began singing praises to God. As the angelic beings departed, the shepherds decided to travel to Bethlehem and see the Christ-child.
There they found Mary, Joseph and the baby, in the stable. After their visit, they began to spread the word about this amazing child and everything the angel had said about him. They went on their way still praising and glorifying God. But Mary kept quiet, treasuring their words and pondering them in her heart. It must have been beyond her ability to grasp, that sleeping in her arms—the tender child she had just borne—was the Savior of the world.

This is from "The Birth of Jesus" paraphrased from the Bible, The Book of Matthew.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are my thoughts on being politically correct and making sure we don’t insult some group or other religion or belief by saying “Merry Christmas”.  Why do we have to make sure we say, “Happy Holiday”…or some other type greeting?  Well, you know what? I am a Christian, Roman Catholic woman. I am by far a holy roller, but I do believe that night in Bethlehem the Christ child was born from Mary. The Celebration of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. So, please don’t be insulted if I wish you a Merry Christmas, after all that is what we are celebrating. This is what Christmas is all about.....everything else is secondary.  This is how I feel..This is what I believe.. : )

From My Little Blog to Your Home, I Wish Everyone A Blessed and Very Merry Christmas.

My Favorite Childhood Christmas Memories

First I want to emphasize “FAVORITE”, because like most families, I could tell you some crazy stories too. But I want to focus on the positive stories instead. The negative stories can just stay in a big pile of negativity with Scrooge.

When I was a child, Santa put up the Christmas tree, so in the morning we were not only surprised by the toys and presents but by the beautiful tree too. We always received 17 presents every year. I remember my father getting on top of the roof making the sounds of the reindeer. He told us if we didn’t fall asleep Santa wasn’t coming in. I remember my younger brother getting a set of drums one year. What was Santa thinking when he delivered those? Of course the noise of Christmas is a big part of it all. Living in a house with 6 children, things were hectic to say the least…… but exciting too.

When I was a teenager, I remember having a lot of people over on Christmas Eve. Lots of friends and family came over and the sounds and the smells were so exciting. Food and drinks were flowing and we even got to open a few gifts. I remember my sister giving me a maroon jacket with faux fur around the collar. She was working at the time, so she had her own money and I just thought that was so cool. I LOVED the jacket and I wore it to midnight mass and just felt so good wearing it.

As a young married adult we would go over my mom and dad’s house for dinner, my mom would go all out on the meal and decorations. She was obsessed with having a perfect Christmas. My kids got excited because they were allowed to open their gifts from my mom and dad. They loved and appreciated everything they received.

Then a few years later my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer as well as a few other medical issues and hosting Christmas became too much. This is when the history of Christmas began to change for me.

So, the next year I took over hosting the Christmas Eve dinner. It was nice and I tried to keep my family traditions. It’s funny because I remember we always had oyster stew (yuck). I loved watching my children open up their gifts, like most mothers it’s like watching something magical happening and you just want to freeze time.

Of course we can't forget going to mid Night Mass at St. Paul's.  The parish became so big that at one point we had to get tickets to go to Mid Night Mass.  I believe at that point we started going to the Vigil mass.  (I haven't been faithful about going to mass lately but I really do want to get back to going.  I need to make this a priority.)

Now my children are adults and it will be fun watching them start their own traditions as well as keep some of the older traditions too. It’s going to be fun to see the magic of Christmas in the eyes of my granddaughter this year.

Christmas day isn’t even here yet and we already made so many new memories…….Tis the Season to Be Jolly.

A Fun Filled Cookie Baking Day!

This past Sunday was Christmas cookie baking day in my house. It was so much fun......we had flour and batter flying everywhere.  Literally Everywhere.  My kitchen was a mess and I loved it. We must have made at least 8 different types of cookies and it was fun because my sister Debbie made us tye dye shirts and socks to match....so our pictures were fun to take too. My baby Granddaughter Tessa, got to stir her first Christmas cookie batter and we have pictures to catch that memory.
I have to be honest, my sister Debbie ended up making most of the cookies. I premade my batters so it was easy to just bake mine, but Debbie made a lot of special and fun cookies and chocolate covered pretzels. Every ingredient was fresh and natural and you could taste it in the yummy cookies. I love Christmas cookies. I love them so much, that Sunday night I went to bed with a tummy full of warm cookies and I slept like a baby. Of course Monday, I was back at the Gym to balance out those scrumptious baked goods. I am posting some pictures of our fun Cookie day.  Did I say how much I love to make and eat Christmas Cookies?   Ha, Ha !

Enjoy the Pureness of Real Butter and Real Sugar !

My motto for this "Holiday Season" is to enjoy everything from family and friends to good cheer and good food.  One major change is, I am only going to eat homemade foods and baked goods.  No processed foods......Only the best for me, such as pure butter and real sugar, fresh eggs and real fresh milk.  Our bodies are made to break down natural and pure foods. No more artificial sugars and sweeteners, either I will use the real thing or nothing at all.  We just have to remember everything in moderation. See, that's where my problem has always been.  I want to eat it all.  Not just a few.  I still have to work on that.
 
If you're trying to eat healthy like I am, perhaps you have heard to stay away from processed foods. While that's great advice, it seems many people are confused about what exactly constitutes processed food. Remember - processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state. Such as trans fats,
Trans fats are really like plastic, and when we eat them they incorporate in our cells and the cells cannot communicate or talk to one another. In turn, hormones are disturbed, weight gain follows but more troubling, the risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke go up.  
 





I am not going to go on forever on this, but I know that once this junk is in your body and your about my age, it hard to get it out of your body. It clings to your cells and your intestines and just makes you feel awful.......that's one of the reasons I went through my two week detox.
Well, the reason I am bringing this topic up is because this Sunday is our holiday cookie baking day. My sister, daughter, myself and this year my granddaughter will get together and bake cookies for our family party. I will make sure we use all natural ingredients because it's just good for us, no more fake stuff.  It's just not worth it.
 I can't wait and I hope we have lots of fun and make plenty of memories....and enjoy the pureness of a few homemade butter and sugar cookies.  

 I will post some pictures next week.   

What I Am Most Thankful For.

Here are a few of the things I am thankful for. I have so many, but I would be here all day writing them, so I narrowed it down to the top few.  This is a good time of year to reflect on what God has given us.

• I am thankful for my husband, for the joy and complete and utter insanity he brings to my life. Where would I be without him? I love him even when he drives me nuts.

• I am thankful for my children and their spouses and my step son, for all the happiness and yes, craziness they bring to my life. I love each of them. They are the reason I was put on this earth & They are the reason for my being. They are the light in my life.
• I am especially thankful for my new granddaughter this year. I am thankful for all the unconditional love she gives, and how her smile and giggle lights up the room. What could be better than that? She is all that is good in this world. She is pure bliss.
• I am thankful for my business and how it keeps food on the table but also a roof over my head, at the same time I get to enjoy the sound of children laughing and playing, growing and learning. Even if it is only for a short amount of time in their life. It’s an honor to care for children and I am thankful to be in the business of Childcare.
• I am thankful for my father and his good health, despite his recent hospitalization. I thank him as well as my mom (God rest her soul) for the gift of life.
• I am thankful for my sister; she is my best friend and the person I can tell anything to, she is my go to person. I love her.
• I am thankful for my pets; they can entertain me for hours and make me happy even on days that aren’t going so well. They are funny little creatures.
• I am thankful for my health, as I continue on my quest towards being the best person I can be, in all aspects of my life.  I thank you God for giving me the strength to get up today and breath in the fresh air around me.  I thank you for the gift of Life.  I am truly blessed.

I am thankful for all my Diva Girls……we all need to stick together.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

GOBBLE, GOBBLE!

Fresh Foods, It's What It's All About

Since the time I have spent with the nutritionist, I have developed a new relationship with food and nutition. It is so refreshing now to look at nutrition with a whole new perspective.   It's easier then most people even know.  You just have to learn what goes with what and why?  Then you have to figure out when and how to do it. (More on that for another posting) To be quite honest…society has made it so hard. There is a lot of money to be made in the weight loss business, so I do understand the reason for it. But for me…..well, I feel like a weight has been literally lifted off my chest and I thank god for it.  I just wish I had been ready to develop this relationship earlier in my life, but for whatever reason it just wasn’t the right time.  Getting here was not easy, I will tell you that.  In fact it was hell. So, I may tell you that my relationship with food is easier now may be true, but the battle with food was truly hell, so I do not want to mislead anyone. I still have a few battles but they get fewer and fewer.  My choices I make are getting better and better. 

It’s really all about fresh foods and good choices and adding in some exercise of your choice into the mixture. That’s it. No more counting points or calories. Everyday is a good day. No one can tell you otherwise. It’s all about putting good fresh foods into your body and you can’t help but feel healthy.

You can’t do it all at once, so you take baby steps. I wrote about how I changed my milk choice and I recently went back to making my homemade pasta sauce. So, I am going to talk a bit about that. I used to make homemade pasta sauce when I was married to my first husband (he was Italian) every Sunday. It was expected and I didn’t mind. My second husband is Pennsylvania Dutch and he likes pasta but doesn’t need it every Sunday. Maybe once or twice a month. Plus, he likes a famous jarred sauce. He always said, "Honey, why make it and spend all that time in the kitchen when we could be doing something and then all you have to do is just heat up the sauce right before the pasta was cooked?"…..so, I got lazy and all but stopped making my sauce.

Have you ever looked what was in that jarred sauce?  Since we don't make it ourselves we truly don't know what they put in it. Plus I miss the taste of my fresh pasta sauce.  Yes, it does take time and effort, but it's worth it.  All fresh ingredients with fresh herbs, spices and cheeses...I figure I will make enough to freeze for two meals.  So, for now I am back to making my own, just not every Sunday. Ha, Ha! :)  

 Like I said before baby Steps!

WOW !

“Wow, you really look great! “ It’s amazing how powerful these words make you feel when someone says them to you and how fast they can make you smile. It’s good to know that whatever you’re doing must be working. Whether it be working out or coloring your hair, maybe that new make up line you purchased looks perfect on you or the new clothes you bought fit and look just right. Maybe you just opened your heart to the Holy Spirit and now have a new relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Whatever it is, it’s showing on the outside and you’re looking great.

It also feels good to say it to someone that has made a change in their life and you notice a difference, such as a new hair color or maybe just a new attitude about their life in general. The thing is you notice the difference and you made a point to let the person in your life know that. That person is feeling real good inside after you told them they look great, even if they are trying not to show it.

Positive feed back is a great motivator and it helps you to keep doing, whatever your doing.

When someone says these words to you without you actually asking them, you know it comes from a true and honest place in their heart. Don’t be afraid to tell someone that they look great and if someone tells you that….accept it and just say “Thank you”.

Keeping Yourself Healthy this Winter

10 Natural Tips to Keep Colds and Flu at Bay

WASH YOUR HANDS– This is the best way to get rid of everyday germs. Remember Hand Sanitizer is not a replacement for washing your hands with good old soap and water, it’s just incase you are unable to wash your hands. Wash them as soon as you are able. 

Get enough rest - Sleep plays a crucial role in the body’s recovery and repair cycle: when people don’t get enough sleep, they compromise their defense system.

Think clean – Clean surfaces shared with others. to avoid hand to hand spreading of germs.

Freshen the air – Open the windows a few times per day to circulate fresh air. Yes, even on cold days.

Think food first, rather than supplements - Eating healthy and naturally, provides a whole nutritional package. It’s what your body needs and wants. Supplements can be hard on your digestive track. Have you ever felt nauseas after taking them? Sometimes they even pass through your system unabsorbed.

Use garlic when cooking – Garlic has antibacterial properties and help detoxify the body. This is a wonderful reason to add an extra touch of garlic to that pasta.

Drink herbal tea – Teas containing Echinacea and licorice root boost the immune system and help inhibit viral and bacterial growth. “I am going to try to drink one cup of tea a day. Herbal teas taste like flowers to me but it’s worth a try.”

Drink plenty of fluids- It’s good to keep hydrated even when it’s cold outside.

No Hands touching face – Most cold and flu viruses enter the body, through the eyes, nose, or mouth. “I am always putting my hands on my face so I really need to work on this one.”

Exercise with gusto – Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart and makes us breath faster, supplying the body with more oxygen, which in turn, helps increase the body’s amount of natural virus-killing cells. “I suppose this is a good reason enough to get out there and move.”

Keep all of these ideas in mind now and maybe you may not even get sick this winter.

Take care of yourself and you will have a happy and healthy Holiday Season too.

Tricks and Treats for Us Divas

Trick Yourself into Feeling Full

Water, Divas, Water! I can’t say this word enough! Everyone knows this. If you drink a ton of water, you'll have to pee a whole lot. This means your flushing your system and oh, you'll feel fuller all the time and you'll eat far less.

If you eat a hearty bowl of vegetable soup 20 minutes before your main meal you will feel full. By the time you’re ready for your main course your soup is halfway through part of the digestive process. We only truly know how full we are TWENTY MINUTES after eating. After soup, you'll no doubt be less hungry and will be able to eat less of your main meal.

Treat Yourself

A pretty vase full of flowers always makes me feel special and cheerful. Why wait for someone to buy you flowers? Go grab some yourself! You don't have to pay an arm and a leg for some pretty blooms. Farmers' Markets are great for getting a bouquet of pretty sunflower for $5.

Take the time out for a nice bubble bath. A nice warm bubble bath is always deserved. Wait until you can be undisturbed and run a nice bath with your favorite bubbles, scent, or oils. Light some pretty smelling candles and just relax.

Happy Halloween

My Mom is a Pink Warrior in Heaven

I have been thinking about writing this entry for some time now. How was I going to word what I was feeling and thinking and now I think it may all just come together as follows.

At the age of 55 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in both her breasts. She had a
bilateral mastectomy. She was also a diabetic and the healing process was less than kind to her. So, needless to say she was not a candidate for reconstruction surgery. What a devastation this was to my mom and to my family. She died only 4 short years later.  My mother always had a fear of cancer and she worried all the time that she would end up with some type of cancer or another. The fear was always there.  It was sad to see her live that way, and then to end up with breast cancer.

My fear is for my health to become my mother's health.  It’s always in the back of my mind. My fear now is just as strong as her fear was then….I now believe my mother’s spirit is whole in heaven and I believe the holy spirit has freed her of all her fears and diseases. She had to die to be freed of these burdens. I want that now, and I don't want to wait. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Writing this blog is part of it. It’s therapy for me. It keeps me on the right track.

I started working with a nutritionist two weeks ago. I am determined to reduce my weight, body fat, as well as inches, but the most important thing to me is to reduce my chances of breast cancer. There is scientific proof that a higher body fat percentage is linked to a higher chance of breast cancer in woman. In fact, a higher risk of all types of cancers. For this reason, as well as many others, I choose to change some of my fears and I hope to some how eliminate my mother's past fears. So, in her memory I want to do what I can do, on my part, to lower my risk of breast cancer. This includes, eating well, exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, self breast exams, and mammograms. Divas, I encourage you to do the same. Do it in honor or memory of someone you may know, or more importantly just do it for yourself.

I know my mom is a pink warrior in heaven.

Motivating Strategy Part 3

Motivating Strategy Part three of three.

I had a few hard times with my part 2 of this strategy, so I needed to lengthen the amount of time on that exercise. I feel like I am ready for part 3.
So here it goes.
Part 3 is to keep those good feelings close to you as you practice the behaviors you know will help you make progress towards your goals.
I have to ask myself: What are some of those other behaviors? For me, its how I feel about where I am in my weight loss or just about how good I feel when I am eating healthy nutrient dense foods. It’s also about making healthy choices. Sometimes its small changes such has changing your milk (what I am about to do)……Going from your regular milk to fresh organic milk from your local farmer. Or it could be about putting a few extra dollars into your savings account before you put those few extra dollars in your pocket. Maybe it’s time to actually sign up for that class you have been thinking about. You know, the one that may help you prepare for your new career or progress in your present career.  The behaviors your practice will just depend on your goals. Sometimes you need to write them down so you see the behaviors that will help you move towards your ultimate goal. Post them up so you can see them. Keep in mind your goals may change as you move along. You just have to adjust as you move forward.

Your motivation should come within, but it’s always nice to have a support system to help you along.

So, I just keep chugging along and I try to make each day the best I can....

Spending Time with family.

Spending time with family is so important. We often get so wrapped up in our careers, finances, school and other things in life that we sometimes forget about the most important things.

It is more important than we realize to spend time with our family to bring them closer together, while it is also important to spend quality time together. Spending time with your family over the years is something you can't replace because time goes by quickly. It just seems like yesterday I was raising two small children and now years later they are adults and starting families of their own..

A few days ago we had our children and their families over to celebrate my son’s birthday. I made dinner and baked my son’s favorite peach cobbler for dessert. Afterwards we played a game of 20 questions. We really enjoyed playing the game and it was so nice just to spend time together.

We decided to make it a monthly activity. So once a mouth we will get together for a family game day. I hope it works out because being with my family makes my heart happy.
My mother was a big fan of Erma Bombeck so in her memory I am sharing Erma’s thoughts on family.

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Cupcake Eater?

NOT ME MONDAY -I just wanted to let everyone know, that it wasn't I that sneaked the last 3 cupcakes leftover from my son's birthday party.  I would have resist them or gave them away.  I wouldn't have enjoyed the creamy fudge icing and the buttery cake.  For goodness sake, I would rather have had a broccoli sandwich.

  No, it wasn't I......Just look at these yummy decadent cupcakes. 

    Why would I want to eat them?  Ha, Ha!

How Nurturing Brings Us Divas Happiness

What makes us Divas happy?

For me, happiness is a feeling of joy that comes over me. The feeling maybe last a few seconds, or it could be days, or months, and I suppose years. Something that brings joy to me, can bring an instant smile to my face or a tender tear to my eye. I know I am happiest when I spend time with my family or friends. I now have a beautiful granddaughter that brings so much happiness into my life.

So with that being said, I know in the grand scheme of life and with everything that is going on in the world today, what I am going to tell you will sound trifle or simple but it’s a small sample of what happiness means to someone.

As women most of us feel the need to nurture it brings pure happiness to our heart even if we don’t know it at the time. For most women it’s built in us, and when this is taken from us it can bring sadness and sometimes depression. A good example of this is the “Empty Nest Syndrome”. Once our babies are gone we wonder what it is we are going to do without them. Who can we take care of and who wants us to take care of them? This can also cause a lot of sadness, I mean we are happy our babies are moving on but it’s as though our happiness bulb has been turned off. Fortunately this feeling is often replaced as we Divas find something else to take care of or pour ourselves into a new hobby or activity or work.

For a lot of people, a pet can bring the feeling of nurturing back again. The power of a loving pet is amazing and when that pet is gone it can hit us hard and deep in our heart. Our pets are the only creatures that give us unconditional love.….. I wrote a posting back in June that was dedicated to "Toby" my sister’s amazing and unique dog that passed away. Since then I have spent a lot of time with my sister and I know that she has been very sad without him. She grieved very hard this summer. It was so difficult not to be able to do anything for her. All I could do was listen to her and give her time and a few hugs to show her I was there for her. Usually I just listened to her because my words would not be adequate enough, so the gift of listening is what I gave her. I just wanted to see my upbeat sister happy again. It’s incredible to know that a pet can bring that much emotion to us. God really knew what he was doing when he gave us the companionship of a wonderful pet.

I am happy to see my sister is feeling better. She is still sad when she thinks about Toby but she has fond memories and he will always have a very special place in her heart. She has recently opened her heart and home to a new pet. You can’t help but be happy when you hold a new friend and in this case her name is “Zoe”. Getting the chance to experience happiness again is such a splendid feeling and I am happy to see my sister, my best friend, happy again.

Motivating Strategy Part 2

Before I begin, I want to point out that part one for me was not so easy; in fact I had a very difficult time with it. Here is an example, I had to take a blouse back to the Outlets on Sunday and I caught a glimpse of myself in one of the stores windows and man that did me in. I kept trying to talk myself into feeling better about myself  but my day was shot. I really got ticked off and became more upset for letting myself feel like that. But, today I looked in the mirror and said to myself ‘Your taking care of yourself and you are feeling good about yourself, give yourself a break”. I suppose this is my version of the prayer portion from the book “Eat, Pray, Love” Mmmmm, Sighhhhh (for those who read “Eat, Pray, Love”) with that said, I am moving on to Motivating Strategy part 2.

Just a side note: I feel like Elizabeth Gilbert writing this blog post.

Part two can be done at anytime, but it’s perfect for meditation, quiet reflection or during your prayers.

Part 2: Think about how good you will feel when you achieve your goals. In a way, this is an approach to the power of attraction. What does success feel like? You will hopefully feel confident, healthy and good about yourself. Feel that feeling NOW.

This is much easier said than done, but I am going to give it all I got. For me personally, I will have a strong and lean body with a less bloated tummy and will feel better in my own body. I will feel more confident in my strategy towards my goals.

One step towards my goal is writing down how I feel. I try to keep a daily food diary and when I feel like I might need extra help or I am struggling, I note the time of the day and how I feel about myself at that point. Good or bad I take a deep breath in and carry on with my day.

So back to my meditation…….MMMMmmmmm, Sighhhhhhhhh………….ha, ha!

Stuffed Green Peppers ~ Yum!

I love fresh vegetables and it upsets me to know that the produce production from my garden is coming to an end. So, I am trying to make the most with whatever I have left growing.   Today I made “Stuff Green Peppers”.   They were so good and very easy to make…… To make it lean, I used ground lean turkey and my tomatoes and herbs from my garden.  I also made them with brown rice instead of the white rice.  I love brown rice and  brown rice is exceptionally high in fiber. It is also loaded with vitamins and minerals because brown rice is not milled; it manages to hang on to all of its bran and germ content.  I am not really sure why I was raised on white rice.  I remember as a child my mother always using minute rice.  I suppose with 6 children it was a fast side to make.  I am not sure why......but for me it's brown rice.  We need to get our nutrients where we can.

~~Step One to a Motivating Strategy~~

Here is a benefit we can enjoy now, while we are on the way to reaching our goals.
Your goal is a personal journey it's different for everyone; it could be anything such as stop smoking, weight loss, physical fitness, financial freedom, starting a class or continuing education, getting closer to god, mending old relationships, forgiving someone or yourself, starting up a business, buying a new home. It’s something different for everyone. The sky is the limit when it comes to making and attaining your personal goal.
Step One - Imagine you’ve already achieved your goal and are enjoying the feeling of success.

What is it that you see?  For me, I want to be back to the weight and health I was when I went to Key West.  I have no idea how much I weighed at that time, I just know I physically felt wonderful. I felt really good in my skin. I posted a picture here of me enjoying a cocktail in Key West.   So, that is my goal. But, I can already feel that way, by imagining I am there already. Today, I am going to feel that way. I will do this in a very light and easy way. You can’t be too hard on yourself or your goal will become a chore….and we all know how we feel about chores.   I will try this out for a few days and then onto step two.

Wheat Pasta with Pesto Sauce

I made this pasta dish in a flash and the good thing about it was, it was easy to reheat after we came home from the gym.  I also put some cherry tomatoes and my basil from my garden in it and I served it with a slice of hearty multi grain bread. 
Most days, right after work, my hubby and I head to the gym.  We don't get home until about 7:30 pm and I just hate coming home &  try to figure out what we should eat for dinner. Its so late at that point. We are usually famished after working out, so I have been trying to make some healthy and quick meals.

The best way to keep on track is to make sure you plan out what your going to eat for the day, otherwise it's so easy to make bad choices. For me this works.......but it takes planning.

A much needed pedi

Last week I spent the weekend down the shore with my sister. We decided to give ourselves a pedicure.

I figure I would bring the foot spa and all the needed items. We usually make mimosas and just have fun, treating our feet to some luxury. I used the pumas stone and I think I rubbed a little to hard. 

Throughout the week my feet felt like they had all ruff areas and they were all scratched up. They were a mess. So, I headed out to a nail salon today to get a professional pedicure.  I sat in the chair, the girl put the massage on and then I was in heaven. She then applied a wonderful lemon sea salt scrub, followed by rubbing my legs with some delicious scented cream. My feet were then wrapped in a warm towel, aaaaahhhh that was so nice.  She ended the spa treatment with a peppermint foot rub.  Finally she polished my toenails a pretty pink nail color.
Let me tell you, my feet are very happy that I went and they are still all tingly from the peppermint rub.
I think the next time I do an at home pedicure, I will use a good foot lotion and throw away the pumas stone. After all, we need to take care of our diva tootsies.

A Healthy Chilled Dessert !

I had a family Hot Dog Roast a couple weeks ago and it was so hot out, that I thought a chilled dessert would be perfect. So, I made these tasty frozen fruit bites.  They are worth a try.

Frozen Fruit Bites

Ingredients:

Low fat vanilla wafers

1/2 cup Vanilla low fat yogurt

1/2 cup Neufchatel (low fat) cream cheese softened

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp honey

Sliced strawberries & whole blueberries (used to put on top of each one) 

Use a mini cupcake pan & mini liners.

Put a cookie, flat side up in the cup cake liner

whisk the rest of the ingredients together.

Put one tsp of mix ontop of  each cookie. Top with fruit.

Cover with plastic wrap and place in freezer.

Remove from freezer 20 min before serving.

I think I am going to make these again for Labor Day.

Tasty & Healthy & Real Easy to Make!

    

Good juice ~~~~Wicked bad juice

I decided to detox my body from all the wonderful birthday cake that I ate over the past few days. I juiced for breakfast and lunch. I made a yummy fruit juice for breakfast. I used canalope, oranges and apples and grapes. It was very tasty and I really enjoyed it. My lunch juice was yucky, but I drank it. I juiced tomatoes, carrots, radishes and celery. I wasn't thrilled with it though. I felt like my body welcomed the nutrients instead of all the sugar it has been given in the past few days. I am going to the farmers market sometime this weekend for some ripe peaches. I think I will try to make some juice with the summer produce from the local farmers.
I am going to try to juice a few times a week. I will see how my body responds to the fresh juices. I hope fresh fruits will be liquid sunshine to this 49 year old body. Ha Ha :)

~My Birthday~

I tell my family that this is the year I plan to do a few things that I have never done before. Just simple things, like taking a cake decorating class, Yoga or Tie Chi. I feel like this is the time for me to do activities just for me. After all these years I have done so much for those around me, (I will continue to do so), now it’s time to sit back and think about what I want to do.

I also know that I have begun to look at age in a different way. I notice that people my age are now taking medication for one thing or another. Our health becomes a big focus point at my age. We want to be as healthy as possible so that we can live a long time and enjoy all this life has to offer us.

My relationship with God has changed. I have to admit I don’t go to mass as much as I should, but I feel that I am closer to God more now then when I was younger. I put my life in his hands and I will live the life that he has chosen for me. God is good and I continually thank him for all the blessings he has given me.

So, I know that this is the last year of me in my 40’s and I plan to have a blast, in a very healthy and fun way. I will drink plenty of water as well as some fine wine. I am going to eat chocolate as well as my fruits and veggies. I also plan to spend time with fun and positive people. Life is good and all is well.

I am off to enjoy my birthday with my family and I sure hope to eat some cake.

Ready to Juice it up

So, I finally went out and bought a juicer. I have been looking into getting a  juicer, so I am happy to say I finally purchased one. I just hope it doesn’t become another kitchen appliance that takes up space. I thought that might be the case with my Kitchen Aid Mixer and it is my most favorite appliance that I own. So, we shall see. Ever since I landed in the hospital in January I have been thinking how to include nutrient dense foods. Juicing is one way to get health benefits of fresh fruits and veggies in one drink.


There are 3 main reasons why juicing is so beneficial:

• The juice requires hardly any digestion, it’s absorbed quickly in your system and you start to get the health benefits right away.

• When you juice you use more fruits and veggies than you can actually eat. As a result, you are drinking a densely packed amount of vitamins, minerals and other plant based nutrients.

• Liver detoxification – cleaning out your system

Breakfast Sandwiches

I am helping do my part in helping my hubby and myself keep on track.  It's hard because we both LOVE food.   So, I have been making breakfast sandwiches on Sundays for us to take to work during the week.
WW English muffins or bagel tops, scrambled egg whites, a few sprinkles of WW shredded cheese and Low fat Turkey bacon.  A total of 5 points. All we have to do is pop it in the microwave at work.  This with some fruit and coffee make a nice breakfast. 

~~~~Java~~~~

Have you ever noticed just how often we Divas talk about coffee? It’s a hot topic, as well as one of my favorite hot beverages. As a Christmas gift last year, I received a Keurig coffee maker and at first I wasn’t thrilled with it, but within a week I was totally in love. I can have a wonderful hot cup of coffee within minutes. No wasting a half a pot of coffee for just one cup. My favorite is the “Donut House “blend. MMMmmmm. I also enjoy the "Chocolate Glaze" as a dessert coffee. My summer time favorite coffee is the Dunkin Donut Iced Mocha Latte made with skim milk and no whipped cream. I have to discipline myself to only purchase one Latte per week. The food addict in me wants one every day…. I just love them that much.

This past weekend I went down the shore with my sister. We usually go to the pool and then sit in the hot tub to relieve our aches and pains and just plain relax. In came two more women, one at a time. Somehow we started to talk about “True Blood” the show on HBO. Then, the topic turned to coffee…Ahhh; I could almost smell the coffee brewing. We all told each other what type of coffee we like to drink and why. One woman’s choice is Dunkin Donut coffee, the second lady enjoyed Wawa and third’s favorite was Starbucks. It was fun just talking to some other woman about this beverage and then the conversation turn into talking about our children…..See, coffee has a way of opening up the lines of communication. We Divas can bond over the talk of coffee and that is just plain cool.

As a busy society we no longer go over to our neighbor’s house just to enjoy a cup of coffee and shoot the breeze. It’s a shame, because it’s fun to talk about a lot of nonsense, sitting around a kitchen table. So instead, it seems like more and more often people are meeting at their local coffee shop to catch up on each other's lives. There is nothing more fitting than a coffee shop filled with the smell of bulk coffee beans brewing to perfection while you sit and talk about the little things in life. So, in a way this replaces drinking a cup of coffee over the neighbor’s house.
Now a day’s, coffee drinks are just so popular and some are scrumptiously delicious that they could be a sweet dessert. There are just so many coffee choices, sometimes walking into a coffee shop can make your head spin, but in a delightful aromatic way.

So, relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy your day!

~~~Yummy Sangria~~~

After a day of cleaning, there is nothing like a refreshing glass of Sangria (Tastefully Simple Style).  Made with fresh fruit.......refreshing!   Divas if  you have to clean.....make sure you treat yourself afterwards. http://www.tastefullysimple.com/home.aspx

Cleaning....more than a chore...sometimes it's down right fun.

I am having a family hot dog roast this weekend.  I love spending time with my family and god knows we don't spend enough time together, but guest in my home equals, cleaning the house.  Sometimes, I can really get into cleaning...... I crank up some music and go to town. But honestly, most of the time I can't get into it.  I also noticed the older I get, the more I hate wasting time cleaning......but more than that, I despise a dirty house.  One problem is, I have one old Beagle and a cat.  These four legged friends sure can shed some fur.  Anyway, today I am going to clean my house and can't wait till I am finished......I am going to enjoy a wonderful glass of sangria as soon as I am finished.  So, is cleanliness really next to Godliness, and if so what does that really mean?
Right before my daughter was due to have my granddaughter my sister Debbie and I decided to clean her house. We thought it would be nice to come home from the hospital to a clean house. That was so much fun...yes it was fun to clean because we made it fun. We dressed up like cleaning Divas. We laughed and sang and of course we cleaned.  We also brought a picnic lunch to have during our lunch break.  We made some fun memories and yes, this was all based around cleaning.  Okay, well time to pump up the music and dig into the cleaning of my home.

Taking baby steps to a healthier me.

 How about some healthy fresh fruit juice?
I love freshly squeezed orange juice. I don’t make it often, but I think I am going to hop on it and start squeezing away.
What could be better for you then store bought fruit juice? Raw fruit juice! When you buy juice, it is always pasteurized. Pasteurization not only kills bacteria and preserves the juice, but also destroys many (if not most) of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes, along with their health-promoting properties. Sometimes the process adds chemicals, sugars and other unhealthy ingredients. Fortunately, juice is easy to make at home, so try fresh, raw, homemade juice for a burst of nutrition, plus orange juice is also an excellent source of potassium.

I am thinking about getting a juicer….that’s one kitchen gadget that I don’t have.

Giving Stress the Boot.

No time or energy to get done what you need to do or too much stress at work or with your family? Stressors can play havoc on your body and your mind. When I face too much stress I try to eliminate one stressor at a time. I try to face it head on. If I deal with too much and start to procrastinate and ignore these stress factors I know I will be dealing with a migraine soon. After all these years I usually know the precursors to my migraines. So distressing is really important to me. I do know that some stress is unavoidable such as health issues, financial pressure and the economy. That type of stress will not just go away, but you can come to terms with how you deal with them.

It’s funny because my daughter tells me I go to Voo Doo doctors. The reason for this is because I try to use natural ways of dealing with my life. I go to some awesome chiropractors, I really enjoy therapeutic massages when I feel too tense or just because, I have been hypnotized for my crazy night eating (I will save this topic for another post) and I believe in the power of prayer.

Spending time with your friends and family can help you relax and defrag too. People power can work both ways so you have to decide whom you want to surround yourself with and who makes you tense. As much as possible, I try to eliminate the people and places that stress me out. I know that is not always possible to do, so I try my best and I know sometimes (maybe a lot of times) I bring my own stress on. It’s tough being human. Ha, Ha!

Try the following tips to reduce and relieve stress. A lot of the time they work for me

• Relax. Some ways to relax include deep breathing and meditation and massage therapy. If you can’t do these things, take a few minutes to sit, listen to soothing music, or read a book. My morning favorite is my morning coffee either on my porch or at my place down the shore.

• Make time for yourself. It’s important to care for yourself. No matter how busy you are, try to set aside at least 15 minutes each day in your schedule to do something for yourself, like taking a bubble bath, going for a walk. I enjoy riding my bike around my neighborhood.

• Sleep. Sleeping is a great way to help both your body and mind. With enough sleep, you can tackle your problems better .I try to get seven hours every night. I know most of us Dives wake up a few times a night with those nasty heat flashes. On weekends naps are my best friend.

• Eat right. Enjoy a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Good sources of protein can be peanut butter, chicken, or tuna salad. Eat whole-grains, such as wheat breads and wheat crackers. Drink plenty of water.

• Exercise. Your body makes certain chemicals, called endorphins, before and after you work out. They relieve stress and improve your mood. I hate working out but when I am done my work out I feel great…so, I do it.

• Write down your thoughts. Keeping a journal can be a great way to get things off your chest and work through issues. I journal, journal, journal. Sometimes I just use 3 x5 cards. I recently bought a new one with a cute tiger stripped kitty on it.

• Get a hobby. Find something you enjoy. Make sure to give yourself time to explore your interests. My favorite hobby is eating chocolate & coffee, spending fun times with my family & friends and shopping. The best is when I can do them all together.

• Set limits. When it comes to things like work and family, figure out what you can really do. There are only so many things you can do. Be open with people and tell them how you feel. Honesty reduces drama.

So boot all your stress out and enjoy your life.

Time to chill out now.

~~~~I am heading down the "Atlantic" Highway, looking for my love get away~~~~

+

Well, I am heading to the Jersey Shore for a week of fun in the sun.  I truly need a stress free vacation.
I want to make sure I stay on track with my healthy eating. The wonderful thing about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies and Jersey is known for their fresh produce, after all that is why it's called "The Garden State"
I am going to make sure I get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise in, and I will make sure to make good choices while eating out, such as Grilled Fresh Seafood and healthy lean meats. It will be a week of fun walks and bike riding and lots of vacation fun ...so off I go.  Ha, Ha !

I am still going to enjoy "Happy Hour" each day.  So, bring on the Martinis.

~~~ Gulp, Water Challenge~~~ Gulp

Check out the sidebar on my blog regarding the H20 challenge.  It sounds like a easy thing to do but drinking 64oz of pure water can really be a challenge for some people.  I really need to get my hubby to join in on this challenge.  He drinks diet sodas & diet Ice Tea but only 1 bottle of water and that is when we are at the Gym.  All that said and done, he is really working hard at the gym and I am really proud of him.  I am proud of myself too. Making good choices makes me feel good about myself.

I am off to drink some refreshing H20  :)   

Just My Opinion

Multitasking is overrated.

I think we Diva’s can work on one thing at a time and sometimes it's alright to multi task. I will get to that later. I know in life we must multitask...it's just a fact of life in order to get through the day, but here are my feeling on the subject.
Anyway, for those who know me; have heard me say this numerous times. “Multi tasking is overrated.” Yesterday while I was at the gym, I was watching “The Morning Show” and Faith Salie did a segment on Multitasking…..it was quite comical. She really got me thinking because I have been saying this for years……Hey, Focus in on one task at a time…..when you have completed that task, then move to the next item. This way every task at hand gets your undivided attention.
Multitasking used to be and may still be an asset when applying for a job or putting on your resume. I don’t know, since owning my own business I personally have not had to worry about it for me, but I do see it on future employee work applications and resumes. I think of it as, yes you can do a few things at one time, but usually you’re not proficient in any of them.

In the business world we have become obsessed with it.
It is a result of our fixation on how little time we have to accomplish whatever it is we are working on. I believe it’s a result of our love of efficiency, but it often kills effectiveness in what we are attempting to do. Again….just my opinion. Maybe, I say this because I swear I have Adult Attention Deficit Disorder and it gives me a good excuse why I can’t get things done..Ha Ha.

Divas!……sometimes we can “Diva Multi Task”……like getting a pedi and reading a gossip magazine, or listing to our iPod while we exercise. Drinking a cocktail while soaking up some sun rays………….These are a few of my favorite multitasking things.

Okay, Enough said on that topic!

Feeling bloated!

I have been working out with my hubby at the gym 5 times a week and I am happy about that but I can tell you that I can't wait for it to be over each day. It's not as exciting to work out at my age as it was in my thirties. It's more for a better quality of health, verses a sexy body and/or looking good in new clothing.  Now, I am happy just to feel less bloated  in the clothing I have.  Today I would rather go home eat dinner, "Watch Big Brother" and then go to sleep.  My tummy feels yucky and bloated....UGH!  Just one of those days.

~~~~~Red, White and Blue.......the Healthy Way!

I am unable to go to the gym the next few days because I will be down the Jersey shore, but I want to stay on track, so I will be taking walks and riding my bike.....and swimming. Anything to get the old body moving.

~also~

It's going to be a challenge but I am going to stay clear of the cakes, cookies and other sweet deserts( I love sweets) this forth of July weekend. Instead I am going to eat fresh fruits and veggies. Let's see how it works out for me.

Here is a yummy healthy dessert to try and it's patriotic too. 

 

6 ounces vanilla yogurt

4-6 strawberries, sliced

1/4 cup blueberries

1/4 cup pecans or granola, chopped

Directions

1.  Layer 2 oz. yogurt, 2-3 sliced strawberries, 1/8 cup blueberries and 1/8 cup chopped pecans or granola in parfait glass.

2.  Repeat layers. Top with remaining yogurt.

3. Garnish with a few chopped pecans and/or a strawberry if desired.
ENJOY!

Happy 4th Of July!

When you workout, keep yourself hydrated.

 Did you know that your fluid needs depend on the length of your workout?

If your working out, you know that you need to increase your fluids…that's a given.

To keep yourself hydrated, you should be drinking before, during & after your workout.

You should drink 4 to 6 ounces of fluids for every 15 – 20 minutes of exercise.

For exercise lasting less than an hour, water is best. The sports drinks will just add extra calories.

But, if you exercise longer than an hour, you may think about adding a sports drink. Sports drinks will offer you the added benefits of lost electrolytes, lost through sweating.

Then when you’re finished exercising, you should consume 16 – 24 ounces of fluid to rehydrate your body. SO DRINK UP!

FUN FACT

My hubby and I joined our local Gym. Yahoo!  I have been trying to get a work out partner for some time and I am happy to say that my husband & I will be going to the gym together. Based on this fact, I thought I would share this crazy fact.

The word Gym derived from the Greek word γυμνάσιον (gymnasion) meaning 'place to be naked' and was used in ancient Greece to designate a locality for the education of young men including physical education which was customarily performed naked as well as bathing and studies. For the Greeks, physical education was considered as important as cognitive learning. Most Greek gymnasia had libraries that could be utilized after relaxing in the baths.

Can you imagine all the people in your Gym naked?  Too nasty for me.  Some body parts just belong covered.  Thank god for Nike and Adidas designing fashionable and comfortable workout gear. I don't think I'd enjoy being 'au natural' at my local Gym.

Acceptance

I always thought when I was at my desired weight that somehow my life would be perfect. I would finally be able to accept myself for who I was. I would no longer find fault with myself. But, for some reason that hasn’t been the case and slowly by slowly my weight gets right back where I was before I lost my weight. I know this is a common thing to happen. However, I accept who I am completely. I eat healthy foods along with some of my favorite trigger foods.  I am who I am and no longer will I allow my weight or age to define who I AM TODAY!

I am not saying I don’t care what I look like. In fact, I do and I love shopping for new clothes. I am also not saying this is an excuse to not eat or live healthy. I strive to live a healthy life every day. I am going to be 49 in August and it finally struck me that I am closer to the big 5-0 than I am to 40! Looking back at photos of when my Mom & Grandmothers were 50, well to me THEY were OLD and they LOOKED OLD, too. But I don’t feel old and I refuse to be the stereotypical grandmom with the gray bun on top of my head.

Yes, I color my hair, and I have invested in some really good anti-aging serums (thanks Erin T. for turning me on to skintelligence products), but now when I look into the mirror I see so much more than my physical being--I see the person who has gained wisdom and insight over the years. And each and every day I get more confident in my own skin. I am really beginning to embrace where I am right now in my life. This didn’t happen overnight, but over a period of many months and years and it continues to evolve over time.

I think the media plays a big role in shaping our views on how we perceive ourselves? Just pick up any women’s magazine these days and all across the covers scream, “Twenty Days to a Sexier You” or “Lose Your Belly in 8 Days” or “Look 10 Years Younger without Surgery!” ….Of course this isn’t a green light to eating unhealthy foods or living a sedimentary life style. So let’s embrace the Diva that we are. Do the best you can do in eating healthy, moderate exercise and love your life, after all some of us have grandchildren and want to be able to share in their lives.

We need to accept ourselves right now—Tell ourselves that health is not a number on the scale or the size on a tag—it is about being able to embrace life and finally say I AM FINE RIGHT WHERE I AM. So, a little less weight or a little more weight.. I smile; I am just fine where I am.

So, as my sister Debbie said…..”This is this an up year or is it a down year?

In an up year did we up the calories/weight, or are we feeling up? For a down year, does that mean the scale went down or are we feeling down?

Who knows, life is what you make it whether it’s up or down…..Smile pretty like a Diva should and enjoy your day.

On the Spiritual Side Today.

 On the spiritual side today…..I think of us Diva’s as well-rounded woman. (No pun intended.)

Living a full life means being in the here and now on so many different levels. So, today I am going to take a walk on the spiritual side. I like to dabble in a bit of everything on this blog, because it all comes together to make us the person we are.

Think about it, we are no longer hunters and gatherers; we can easily find ready-made food to eat at any store. Our modern lifestyle has become more sedentary (I know, some of us exercise as much as we can) while our access to food has increased, it’s everywhere. Temptation is everywhere we turn. I have to admit I am part of the problem with this. I bring food to my employees and family all the time, sometimes pretzels, cakes, donuts, pizza..and on and on.

We need to relearn positive eating habits and remember to eat to live instead of living to eat. The spiritual approach to weight loss reminds us that we are nourished ultimately by God and that we should love God more than food. We eat for the wrong reasons. I am an emotional eater. I ask god to “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Temptation is powerful…..it’s something we face every day.

Food has become a status symbol and a form of entertainment which has ultimately made us fat. Think about how we celebrate or entertain, it’s always with food. It’s how we have been raised.

Try using prayer to reduce your weight is to realign yourself with the spiritual aspect of eating and the source of our true sustenance, which is God. Excess weight is religiously symbolic of "hanging on to too much" either physically, such as having too many possessions, or mentally, such as harboring grudges and unforgiving thoughts toward those who may have wronged you. We need to release these excessive possessions, grudges, or unforgiving thoughts and feelings…..by doing this we should feel a weight being released from our shoulders and inner self. It feels good to get rid of something we don’t need. Someone else may need what we give away and it sure feels better to give away something then to receive something we don’t need. I know I am going to start working on this………

This Post is in Memory of Toby.

I have been working on a new post for a few days and for some reason I just haven't finished it.

Since then, my sister's dog Toby has passed away and instead I am going to post a poem in honor of Toby and my sister Debbie.  My sister loved Toby more then anyone could ever imagine. He was her rock.  He was always there for her even when others were not.  He was there in happy and difficult times.  They were just so very close. To me, pets are the glue in the family structure. Always there for everyone in the family, with unconditional love.  

 BEYOND THE RAINBOW

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide!

And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright

That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.

'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold

And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.